The Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro held the position of prime minister from 1959 to 1976, and then president from 1976 to 2008.
Castro has been a controversial and highly divisive world figure. While his critics accuse him of being a dictator who has overseen multiple human rights abuses, back home he is lauded as a champion of anti-imperialism and humanitarianism by his supporters.
However, Fidel Castro has had a significant influence on the politics of a several world leaders, like Nelson Mandela, Hugo Chavez and Evo Morales, and he is widely idolised by many leftists, socialists and anti-imperialists across the world.
On February 24, 2008, his brother, Raul Castro was announced as Fidel's successor as president of Cuba.
In his first speech as Fidel's successor, Raul proposed that his brother continue to be consulted on matters of importance and socioeconomic development of the country.
